Water seal for gas-generators.



' A. E. SGHLIEDER.

WATER SEAL FOR GAS GENERATORS.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 27, 1910.

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A. E. SGHLIEDER.. WATER SEAL FOR GAS GENERATORS. APPLICATION FILED AUG.27, 1910.

1,005,328.. Patented 001. 10,1911. 2 sums-$11331 2.

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TED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

AUGUSTUS E. SOI-ILIEDER, OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO MODELGENERATOR COMPANY, OF LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY, A CORPORATION OF KENTUCKY.

WATER SEAL FOR GAS-GENERATORS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 10, 1911.

To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, AUeUsrUs E. SCHLIEDER, a citizen of the UnitedStates, and a resident of Buffalo, in the county of Erie and State ofNew York, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in WaterSeals for Gas-Generators, of which the followingis a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in an acetylene gas generator andmore particularly to an improved water-seal box or casing in the form ofa casting adapted to be fastened to the casing of the gas storagetank.

The primary object of my invention is to so construct a generator thatthe numerous openings through the sheetmetal wall of the gas-tank may bedispensed with, also the usual lock-nuts used in conjunction with pipesentered into or passed through the sheet-metal walls of the gas-tank.

Another object of my invention is to dispense with the pipes in thewater-seal, which after a short period of time would have theirscrew-threads rust and would tend to break in two.

A further object of my invention is to so construct the gas-tank thatthe waterseal chamber as well as the tank-proper may be emptied throughopenings in the waterseal box or casing instead of applyinginternally-threaded metallic-bushings in openings formed in the side ofthe sheet-metal tank and closing the bores of the same with plugs.

It also has for its object the provision of means for assuring agraduated feed of gas into the gas-bell of the gas-tank, so that thepressure in said bell can never be increased in impulses or suddenjerks, thus assuring a steady light without flickering.

These and other objects to be hereinafter described, provide a moreeconomical structure than has heretofore been possible to produce andsave considerable expense and labor on account of the dispensation ofpipes to form the water-seal, and it also avoids the necessity ofcutting numerous small holes into the sheet-metal wall of the tank forthe reception of internally-threaded metallic bushings into which theseveral pipes of a gas-tank are usually threaded.

To these ends the invention consists in the provision of a cast-metalwater-seal box or casing introduced into the gas-tank through a singleopening and having the various pipe-connections threaded thereintowithout exposing the threads to the action of the water in thewater-seal chamber.

It also consists in the construction, arrangement, and combination ofparts to be hereinafter described and particularly pointed out in thesubj oined claims.

In the drawings,-Figure l is a perspective view of my improved waterseal box or casing and the adjacent portion of the gas tank, the pipesconnected thereto being omitted. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinalsection taken on line 2-2, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an enlarged horizontalsection taken on line 33, Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a vertical section taken online 4l4, Fig. 2 looking in the direction of the arrow crossing saidline. Fig. 5 is an enlarged vertical section taken on line 55, Fig. 2looking in the direction of the arrow crossing said line. Fig. 6 is avertical section taken on line 66, Fig. 2 looking in the direction ofthe arrow cross ing said line. Fig. 7 is a vertical section taken online 77, Fig. 2 looking in the direction of the arrow crossing saidline.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, like letters of reference referto like parts in the several figures.

The reference letter A designates the gas generating-chamber whereincalcium carbid is deposited and which by contact with water causesgeneration of gas to be delivered into the gas-bell B through awaterseal usually in the lower end of the gas tank.

My improved water-seal comprises a box or casing C of cast metal whichis set into an opening 0 in the wall of the gas-tank and it has itsouter wall extended beyond its sides to provide flanges 0 that over-lapthe sheet metal of the tank and are riveted or other-wise secured to thesame in a water- 0 a rear wall 0 side walls 0 and a top 7 wall 0 havingits rear portion inclined, as at c. The top wall is extended beyond oneof the side walls of the box or casing proper and with a short verticalwall 0 forms a cap or dome D lying wholly in a plane above 1 a wall orpartition E which separates the gas-chamber F of the tank from thewaterseal chamber G at the bottom of the tank. The upper end of thewater-seal box or casing proper also extends into the gas-chamber andsaid box or casing is provided with a horizontal flange H which extendsalso along the lower edge of the cap or domes D and is adapted to bearagainst the underside of the wall or partition E to which it is rivetedor otherwise fastened, said wall or partition having an opening Ethrough which the upper end of said box or casing projects. The lowerend of said box or casing is open to permit the water in the watersealchamber G to enter the same.

The water-seal box or casing is divided into two main chambers I, and Iwhich are separated by a vertical wall J having its lower edge providedwith teeth 7' and being inclined from the front wall of the box orcasing to the rear wall thereof; said teeth being preferably V shape fora purpose to appear hereinafter.

Threaded into the front wall of the box or casing so that it will openinto the upper end of the chamber I is a gas inleadingpipe K leadingfrom the upper end of the gas-generating chamber A to the water-seal boxor casing; and threaded into the inclined portion 0 of the top wall isan outlet-pipe L which delivers the gas to the gas bell (not shown) ofthe gastank after having passed through the water-seal box or casing.The gas delivered into the chamber I of the water-seal box or casingforces down the water therein until the gas is permitted to pass aroundthe toothed lower edge of the wall J, and on account of said edge beinginclined, the gas will first pass around the highest point of said edge,which is at the inner end of the first of the series of notches 7'formed by the teeth j, until the pressure increases and passes betweenother teeth in succession and finally clears said edge at every point.The inverted V-shaped notches 7' formed by the V-shaped teeth permits aconstant feed of gas around the edgevof said wall or partition,irrespective of the pressure under which said gas is delivered into thewater-seal box or casing, and consequently the gas is stored in thegas-bell of the gastank with an unbroken flow so that the pressurewithin said bell will be increased gradually; thus assuring steadylights and preventing flickering of the same.

The toothed wall J may well be termed a graduated gas-feed or regulatorand as gas cannot be generated under a constant pressure, said graduatedgas feed or regulator prevents the feeding of gas to the gas-bell inimpulses or under quickvariations ,of pressure.

A gas delivery pipe M is threaded into the outer wall of the box orcasing at m to deliver gas from the upper end of the chamber I and, asthis chamber is in constant communication with the gas-bell, the gastherein is held at the same pressure as the gas in said bell whengeneration of gas ceases, but during the generation of gas, the pressurein said chamber momentarily exceeds the pressure of the gas in thegas-bell, until the excess pressure is sufficient to raise said gasbell.The gas stored within the gas-bell may be forced down through the pipe Land may be delivered through the pipe M for use.

A transverse-chamber N is provided about midway between the upper andlower ends of the chamber I and has a passage 71 extending therefrom tothe upper end of the box or casing where it opens into the gas-chamberF; said transverse chamber and the passage n being formed by a wall aconnecting the rear wall of the water-seal box or casing with the frontwall thereof. A threaded opening 0 is provided in the front wall of thewater-seal box or casing in line with said transverse chamber; and saidopening is closed with a plug 0. The passage it also opens at the rearof the box or casing, as at W, so that the water in the gas-chamber canbe completely drained by removing the plug 0 and allowing the water topass through the passage 01-, into the transverse chamber N and out thethreaded opening 0.

For thepurpose of draining the lower or water-chamber of the tank, athreaded opening P is provided in the front wall of the water-seal boxor casing near the lower end thereof and it has a plug 7) threadedtherein to close said opening in a water-tight manner.

A vent-pipe R is threaded into the front wall of the water-seal box orcasing for communication with the cap or dome, and a safety orgas-escape pipe S is threaded into the upper wall of said cap or dome topermit the escape of the gas from the gas-bell when under excesspressure; said gas escaping through the pipe S from the gas-bell,entering the cap or dome D and passing out through the vent-pipe R intothe open air. Owing to the cap or dome lying in a plane above the bottomof the gas-chamber F and being closed to said chamber, the water cannotenter it, neither can the gas escape through said cap or dome and passaround the lower edge of the water-seal box or casing proper, as this isprevented by the water in the water-seal chamber and on account of thepipe R being open at all times for the escape of the excess quantity ofgas, the gas will pass out of said pipe and thereby avoid allpossibility of the apparatus becoming damaged or exploding.

By providing a water-seal box or casing made of cast metal and havingcomparatively thick walls, the various pipes and outlets with whichgas-tanks are usually provided, can be threaded into said box or casing;and by locating said box or casing at the side of the gas-tank, it isaccessible for threading pipes into it from the outside as well as fromthe inside. It also possesses the advantage of dispensing with numerousopenings in the thin sheet-metal walls of the tank and also with thecast nuts or thimbles which must be secured in the numerous openings ina water-tight manner for the reception of the threaded ends of thevarious pipes. My invention also dispenses with the pipes andpipe-fittings to form the water-seal and which invariably become rustedand weakened at the threads of the pipe and are considered the weakestpart of the gastank, they sometimes rusting to such an extent as tobreak in two at the threads. Another desirable feature of my inventionis the provision for draining both the water-seal chamber and thegas-chamber through openings in the cast water-seal box or casing. Iffor any reason the pressure of the gas becomes excessive, it can breakthe water-seal and escape around the lower edge of the box or casing,rise into the cap or dome D, and pass out into the open air through thepipe B.

By the use of my invention, all pipes are drained directly into thewater-seal box or casing.

Various modifications of this invention may be resorted to withoutdeparting from the principle involved, and I therefore do not wish tolimit myself to the exact construction herein shown, but desire that thesubjoined claims be given the broadest interpretation permissible by theprior art.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is,-

1. The combination with a tank having a water-seal chamber, agas-chamber and a wall separating said chambers, said wall and the sidewall of said water-seal chamber having openings formed therein, of awaterseal box fitting into said openings to partly extend into thewater-seal chamber and partly into said gas-chamber and closing theopening in the side wall of said water seal chamber, and pipes connectedto the outer wall of said box and to that portion of the same projectinginto the gas-chamber.

2. The combination with a tank having a wall forming a water-sealchamber and a gaschamber, said wall and the side wall of said tankhaving contiguous openings, of a cast water-seal box fitting into thetank to enter said openings and having a marginal flange secured to saidside wall, said waterseal box extending partly into said watersealchamber and partly into said gas-chant her and having threaded openingsin that portion extending into the gas-chamber and also in the outerwall thereof, and pipes threaded into said opening.

3. The combination with a tank having a horizontal wall forming agas-chamber and a water-seal chamber, said wall and the side wall ofsaid tank having contiguous openings with the opening in the side wallarranged to extend above and below the plane of said horizontal wall, ofa castmetal water-seal box fitting into said openings so as to extendabove and below said horizontal wall and having an outstanding flangesecured to the under-side of said horizontal wall and a marginal flangesecured to the outer side of said side wall, said box having threadedopenings in its top wall and threaded openings in its outer wall, andpipes threaded into said openings.

4. The combination with a tank having a horizontal wall forming agas-chamber and a water-seal chamber, said wall and the side wall ofsaid tank having contiguous openings with the opening in the side wallarranged to extend above and below the plane of said horizontal wall, ofa cast-metal water-seal box fitting into said openings so as to extendabove and below said horizontal wall and having an outstanding flangesecured to the under-side of said horizontal wall and a marginal flangesecured to the outer side of said side wall, said box having twothreaded openings in its top wall and a three threaded openings in itsfront wall, a

gas-pipe threaded into one of the openings in its top wall and extendingto the upper portion of said gaschamber, a safety gasescape pipethreaded into the other opening of said top wall, a gas inleadingpipethreaded into one of the openings in the front wall, a deliverypipethreaded into a second opening in said front wall, and a gasescape pipethreaded into the third opening in said front wall.

5. The combination with a tank having a horizontal wall forming agas-chamber and water-seal chamber, said wall and the side wall of saidtank having contiguous openings with the opening in the side wallarranged to extend above and below the plane of said horizontal wall, ofa cast -metal water-seal box fitting into said openings so as to extendabove and below said horizontal wall and having an outstanding flangesecured to the underside of said horizontal wall and a marginal flangesecured to the outer side of said side wall, said box being open at itslower end and divided into three chambers, a gas-inleading-pipeconnected to the front wall of said box and opening into one of saidthree chambers, a gas pipe connected to the top wall of said box andopening into a second chamber and serving to deliver gas therefrom tothe gas-chamber, a gas delivery-pipe connected to the front wall of saidbox and opening into the last-mentioned chamber thereof, a safetygas-escape pipe threaded into the upper wall of said box and openinginto the third chamber, and

a. pipe connected to the front wall of said box and opening into saidthird chamber.

6. The combination with a tank having a water-seal chamber and agas-chamber, of a cast metal water-seal box arranged to one side of saidchambers, and pipes connected to said box and extending into saidgaschamber, a gas inleading-pipe, a gas-delivery pipe, and a gasescapepipe arranged outside of said tank and also connected with saidbox.

7. The combination with a tank having a horizontal wall forming a gaschamber and a water-seal chamber, said wall and the side wall of saidtank having contiguous openings with the opening in the side wallarranged to extend above and below the plane of said horizontal wall, ofa water-seal box fitting into said openings and secured to saidhorizontal wall andto said side wall in a water-tight manner, said boxbeing open at its lowerend and having three chambers, one of saidchambers having an opening accessible from the outside ofv the tank anda water-passage connecting the chamber with said gas-chamber, a gasinleading-pipe connected to another of said chambers, a pipe connectedto'the third chamber and extending to the upper port-ion of saidgas-chamber, and a delivery-pipe connected to said lastmentioned chamberof the box to deliver the gas for use.

8. A water-seal for gas-tanks having two chambers separated by a walland open at their lower ends, said wall having its lower edge inclined,a gas-inleading-pipe connected to one of said chambers, and a gasdeliverypipe connected to the other chamber.

9. A water-seal for gas-tanks comprising a hollow structure open atitslower end, and,

having a vertical wall terminating at its lower end in a plane above thelower end of said structure, said wall having its lower edge inclinedand provided with V-shaped teeth, a gas inleading-pipe connected to saidbox to open into one of said chambers, and a gas delivery-pipe alsoconnected to said box and opening into the other chamber.

10. The combination with a gas-tank having a water-seal chamber and agas-chamber separated by a horizontal wall, of a waterseal box havingcomparatively thick walls and located at one side of said tank so as toexpose one of its walls and so that it extends partly into thegas-chamber and partly into the water-seal chamber, pipes connected tothat portion of the box extending into the water-seal chamber and pipesconnected to the exposed wall of said box.

11. The combination with a tank having a horizontal. wall forming agas-chamber and a water-seal chamber, said wall and the side wall ofsaid tank having contiguous openings with the opening in the side wallarranged to extend above and below the plane of said horizontal wall, ofa cast -metal water-seal structure comprising a box-like portion and adome arranged to one side of said box-like structure at the upper endthereof, said structure fitting into the openings in said horizontalwall and the side wall and having the upper end of its boxlike portionand the dome extending into said gas-chamber, a pipe extending from saiddome to the upper portion of said gaschamber, a second pipe connected tothe outer exposed wall of said dome for'the escape of excess gas, a pipeconnected to the upper end of the box-like portion and extending upwardinto the gaschamber, and a gas-inleading pipe and a gas delivery-pipeconnected to the outer wall of said box-like portion and opening intothe upper end thereof.

In testimony whereof, I have afiixed my signature in the presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

AUGUSTUS E. SCHLIEDER. lVit-nesses ELLA C. PLUEOKHAI-IN, JAcoB OBERST,Jr.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C.

